Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has lambasted Minister Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
He said; “There is a law governing NDDC which we all participate in producing and no one should bypass that law or bridge it.”
“Even Mr. President has no power to bypass the law establishing NDDC except he has to go back to National Assembly for any amendment. So, any attempt to bridge the law will become illegal, null and void.”
“Well, there has been many arguments about sole administrator or the legality and illegality which have been discussed… the NDDC was under the presidency and we know how it was used. But many of us never thought removing NDDC to Niger Delta ministry was the best thing to do because it would be misused.”
“Niger Delta ministry is our own ministry, therefore, NDDC going to the ministry would not have been a bad idea so we supported it. But what we are opposed is that NDDC is an independent agency like any other one like NPA.”
“Other agencies, the ministers did not abandon their own ministries to go and concentrate in these agencies, that is the problem we have. For sometime, some of us have been advising the minister, don’t abandon your ministry and concentrate on NDDC it is not fair.”
“The minister of transportation does not concentrate on NPA or NIMASA or Railways. The minister of state petroleum did not concentrate on NNPC. So the problem we have, therefore, is the constant interference with the affairs of NNDC by the minister of Niger Delta.”
“So, I do hope that in your performance of duties you should have a free hand. I was shocked when the minister announced that the East-West road must be completed, N18 billion was voted for the ministry for capital project. And the minister said we are going to spend about N16 billion on the east west road and you have just confirmed it. “
“There’s no provision anywhere even in the NDDC budget that part of the budget is to be used in the completion of the east-west road. East-west road is one of the economic road in Nigeria, I see no reason why the Federal ministry of works should not be in charge of the East West Road.”
“That is not the duty of NDDC, east-west road is the duty of the ministry of works. So we have been protesting that the federal government should make available special funds for that very important economic road.”
“In the recent budget, Kano State alone has three roads within Kano costing about N60 billion to be constructed with our oil money. What is being done for us?”
“Do we have to go and beg for money to build roads? So whoever is the minister should live above his own personal interest and put the interest of Niger Delta first. So, Mr. President should provide enough for the completion of the east west road.”
“Nobody will leave this world with what they stole, or what you acquired illegally, but the good name you leave behind, your children will benefit from. Let’s love ourselves, I wish you all the best of luck. We appeal to our boys to give peace a chance. Thank you for coming to visit me.”